Fri 28th Jan (5-7pm)
Free
The Old Abbey Taphouse, Manchester, M15 6SY

An informal get together at Social Enterprise cafes, bars & venues in Greater Manchester to connect, inspire & promote the Social Economy. Join us for an informal evening as we connect people linked to the Greater Manchester Social Enterprise Network and wider social economy at The Old Abbey Taphouse.

There is provision for this event to be outdoor and/or practicing social distancing should current hospitality rules change.

Besides networking, we will have a panel Q&A focusing on social ventures developing community venues and community assets in a locality. 

GMSEN have started experimenting with a mix of online and face to face events over the past few months. 

On 7th October, the network hosted an online 'Re-Convention' for network members, offering networking and participant-led discussion rounds. This session was facilitated by Jez Hall from Shared Future CIC. You can read a write up of that event by clicking here

More recently, on October 22nd and November 26th, GMSEN and Flourish Together CIC partnered to host 2 face to face events held at Manchester Social Enterprise food and drink venues.

The October event was held at Open Kitchen Cafe and Bar at People's History Museum and included a Q&A with Open Kitchen founder Corin Bell. You can read the write up of that event by clicking here.

The November event was held at GROW Cafe at MMU Business School, with guest speakers Haleh Moravej (METMunch), Lee Stanley (SharpFutures CIC), Jackie Bailey (BEE You! Personal Development Ltd) and Andrew Baird (MMU).

The next face to face network event will take place on January 28th at the Old Abbey Taphouse. You can find out more about this event by clicking here.

GMSEN member Heart & Parcel are running a crowdfunding campaign to self-publish their second cookbook - 'Heart & Parcel - From Home to Home'!

Heart & Parcel is a local food and education project with national and global reach based in Levenshulme, Manchester. We bring people learning English from all communities together to develop English skills through the medium of food and cooking.

To find out more about their crowdfund project, follow the link below

Have an explore on the GM Social Enterprise Directory and discover a range of innovative organisations working across Greater Manchester. Whether you run a social enterprise, are looking to buy from a social enterprise or are just curious to see what organisations are out there, you can explore the directory via this link. 

If you run a social enterprise and are not already registered on the directory, you can do so via this link.

A Social Enterprise Support Fund has been launched, providing grant financial support to help social enterprises rebuild from Covid-19.

The grant funding aims to help get social enterprises back on track and helping them to work with communities that are recovering.

Eligible organisations can apply for grants from £10,000 to £100,000. Most grants will be between £10k-£50k. 

The funding is being released in two rounds. Round 1 closes on Tuesday 21st December

GMCVO are supporting the launch of the new Recovery Loan Fund, offered by Social Investment Business to support trading charities, social enterprises and community businesses in the post-Covid recovery. The Recovery Loan Fund is intended for trading charities, social enterprises and community businesses with a viable business model who have been adversely affected by Covid-19.

To find out more about this fund please follow the link below or contact our social investment team on gmsocinvest@gmcvo.org.uk

The application deadline for this fund was recently extended to 20th May 2022

GMCVO is running a short-term targeted project to produce recommendations for reducing cancer-related inequalities in Greater Manchester.

As part of this, we are gathering existing data on inequalities for marginalised groups as well as evidence of good practice and successful initiatives for reducing inequalities for specific groups.

We are able to contribute to people’s time to help us with this exercise.

As previoulsy reported, a new VCSE Accord was signed in September 2021. This new document supersedes two previous agreements that the H&SC VCSE Engagement work (delivered by GMCVO on behalf of the GM VCSE Leadership Group) was part of.

While the VCSE Accord implementation plan is developed and whilst the new Integrated Care System structures are established between now and April 2022, there will be a lull in communications around H&SC VCSE Engagement work.

Please click the link below to read more and find how you can stay up to date with developments.

The Greater Manchester Equality Alliance (GM=EqAl) have published a report which gives an overview of the Alliance's development and activity during its first year of operation.

Our Academic Perspectives Lecture series aims to link VCSE practitioners to academic ideas and evidence. At our most recent lecture Emma Dowling, Assistant Professor for the Sociology of Social Change at the University of Vienna, spoke about the ways in which austerity, marketisation and financialisation have exacerbated a deep-reaching care crisis.

Spread the seasonal cheer at Christmas simply by buying your presents from social enterprises – businesses that have a social or environmental mission at their heart.

#BuySocial and give #PresentsWithPurpose – each item is made by a social enterprise with a unique social or environmental mission.

There’s cycling gear supporting refugees and asylum seekers, great quality affordable clothing, creating jobs and helping restore economic prosperity in some of the UK’s most deprived areas, plastic-free starter kits, books with a strong focus on improving representation and diversity in publishing, furniture created by creatives affected by homelessness and mental illness, educational children games with profits towards animal conservation and so much more!

No Going Back – The State of Social Enterprise Survey 2021 is the latest state of the sector report written by Social Enterprise UK and supported by Barclays. It shows that in spite of the challenges of the pandemic, social enterprises are delivering economically, environmentally and socially. If we are to overcome the challenges posed by rising inequalities and the climate emergency we cannot go back to business as usual.

SSE’s Charles Rapson shares some nuggets of wisdom he’s picked up over the years about why social enterprises should pursue profit, including some top tips on generating profit as a social enterprise. 

Social Enterprise UK with the support of eBay have conducted a market analysis of UK social enterprises that sell retail products to consumers.

This analysis explores the size and growth potential of this sector, its social and environmental impact and barriers to growth.

It found that consumer retail social enterprises are thriving, ready to meet an increased demand from shoppers to buy ethically.

Around 360 new social enterprises selling retail products to consumers are being set up each month and in total over a third of all social enterprises work in this space numbering between 36,000 - 43,000.

Does your social enterprise, community business or charity work to support individuals, communities or businesses in Greater Manchester?

GMCVO's social enterprise team are inviting you to a weekly drop-in session for social enterprises, community businesses and trading charities to discuss your questions and support needs. Our team will be on-hand to offer advice and guidance for all things social enterprise; including setting-up, funding, social impact and social investment.

So whether it's a quick question, or a more in-depth meeting you're after, drop in at your leisure and we'll provide a helping hand.

Testimonial from a recent attendee:

"thank you for your support on our call the other day. Starting a non profit brings so many stresses and unknowns, but you have really supported me and helped me feel at ease, explaining things simply and showing me that it can be done."

The post pandemic world is going to be challenging for VCSE organisations. Now is the time to review where you are now and where you need to be to ensure you can continue to deliver your mission. Skills for Growth – VCSE Support is a fully funded service that can help you do just that. Our dedicated VCSE Skills Coach will work with you to develop a tailored development plan and access the resources and advice you need.

Contact Sittu (sittu.ahmed@gmcvo.org.uk) for an initial chat about what we can offer.

A partnership project between GMCVO and the Greater Manchester BAME Network is underway to build a Greater Manchester BAME Social Enterprise Network and help deliver business support to BAME social entrepreneurs. Specifically for BAME social entrepreneurs, we strongly encourage you check out the new project webpage. It’s full of helpful resources, information, links and the chance to register to join the network, become a mentor or request business support to help you grow your social enterprise.

You can find out more about the network and project by contacting Hanif Alli at hanif.alli@gmcvo.org.uk

Expert Impact are continuing to run their Human Lending Library online. Follow the link below to find out how it works and apply for a free hour of one-to-one business mentoring to meet your current needs as a social entrepreneur.

An online resource bringing together a growing range of social enterprise support together in one easy-to-use directory:
- filter by the type of support required
- digestible summary of each support provider's offer
- up to date contact details.

Thursday 9th December, 11-12
Online

There has never been a more critical time for organisations to consider the impact they have on the environment. Join us for this virtual roadshow where we will share some practical tools for measuring environmental impact and hear from organisations who have some relevant experience to share. There will be an opportunity to discuss and explore approaches with others and we’ll consider how any organisation, regardless of size or sector can make positive steps to reduce their environmental footprint.

Fri 10th December (all day)
Online (£89/£109/£129/£149/£169 depending on your turnover)

Writing grant applications and funding bids can be a frustrating process and it can often feel like you spend hours writing bids for little success. This one-day bid writing course for charities and social enterprises will guide you through the steps that you need to take to make your organisation’s funding and grant applications more successful. You’ll learn how to avoid commonly made mistakes and gain the confidence and know-how that you need to win new funding and business.

This training event is provided by the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE)

Wed 15th Jan, 2-3.30pm
Online

An inclusive event for partners and non-partners. The more the merrier!

We had such a great time last year, we are doing it again in 2021!

So help us to kick off your festive season in style, with our final networking event of the year!

Wed 26th January 2022 (all day)
Online (£89/£109/£129/£149/£169 depending on your turnover)

At this School for Social Entrepreneurs training event, Working with Corporates will examine the different ways that you can get involved with corporates, from accessing support from CSR teams through to getting your organisation on a corporate supply chain.

Fri 28th Jan (5-7pm)
Free
The Old Abbey Taphouse, Manchester, M15 6SY

An informal get together at Social Enterprise cafes, bars & venues in Greater Manchester to connect, inspire & promote the Social Economy. Join us for an informal evening as we connect people linked to the Greater Manchester Social Enterprise Network and wider social economy at The Old Abbey Taphouse.

There is provision for this event to be outdoor and/or practicing social distancing should current hospitality rules change.

Besides networking, we will have a panel Q&A focusing on social ventures developing community venues and community assets in a locality. 

Click on the link below to access a wide range of current VCSE vacancies in Greater Manchester. You can also submit a form to get your own organisational vacancies listed, and there is also a board with trustee and volunteer vacancies, besides paid positions.

We currently have 29 external vacancies listed.

Flourish Together CIC is calling out to find more women of all ages, backgrounds and communities, as a force for social change, to come on their fourth Time to Grow Programme in Wigan and Greater Manchester in January. This is being run in partnership with Meyrick Street and Beltin Wigan.

Time to Grow is for women who are looking to start or develop a venture and features a blend of ideas/values reflection, intensive social venture development training, network-building, peer-support and mentoring - you can read more about programme on this blog.  Plus there are wider workshops on careers, employability and creative/digital skills taking place as well. There are a combination of physical events (in Wigan and Manchester) and virtual programme days to take part in between Jan-May 2022.

To find out more about the Programme and to register, please contact info@flourishtogether.org.uk

Through our Access to Growth fund, we offer blended finance (mix of grant and loan) aimed at small and very small social enterprises and charities that trade, including new organisations. Whether you address social needs, strengthen communities, improve people’s life chances, enhance culture or protect the environment – if your business trades for the common good, this opportunity is for you.

You can view a Google Map of all organisations we have supported through the Access to Growth fund (and our other social investment funds) by following this link. 

Please note this fund will be closing the applications window in February 2022. If you are considering submitting an application, please contact the team as soon as possible.

This fund invests in projects looking to develop community led and owned assets for both affordable/social housing and/or sports facilities in Greater Manchester.
The fund aims to invest in substantial projects, normally in excess of £1 million across Greater Manchester. As the local delivery partner, GMCVO will provide support and connect community groups with local partners to help deliver the projects.

The £150m Community Ownership Fund has been set up to help communities take ownership of assets and amenities at risk. GMCVO are offering organisations wishing to apply for funding under this scheme general support around business and financial planning. We can also work with you to potentially access social investment to meet the match funding requirements either from our own GM Social investment Funds or our national partners.

A Social Enterprise Support Fund has been launched, providing grant financial support to help social enterprises rebuild from Covid-19.

The grant funding aims to help get social enterprises back on track and helping them to work with communities that are recovering.

Eligible organisations can apply for grants from £10,000 to £100,000. Most grants will be between £10k-£50k. 

The funding is being released in two rounds. Round 1 closes on Tuesday 21st December

GMCVO are supporting the launch of the new Recovery Loan Fund, offered by Social Investment Business to support trading charities, social enterprises and community businesses in the post-Covid recovery. The Recovery Loan Fund is intended for trading charities, social enterprises and community businesses with a viable business model who have been adversely affected by Covid-19.

To find out more about this fund please follow the link below or contact our social investment team on gmsocinvest@gmcvo.org.uk

The application deadline for this fund was recently extended to 20th May 2022

Two-year grants of up to £40,000 are available to Black and minoritised-led women’s and girls’ organisations in the UK to address longer term strategic planning and sustainability.

Deadline: 10th January 2022

Action Together publish a monthly funding bulletin showcasing current opportunities, accessed through the link below. 

Action Together also have an online 'find funding' directory which you can access via this link.

The latest monthly roundup of funding opportunities from Beware of the Bull.

GM Combined Authority are calling for participants for a series of focus groups to discuss the issues affecting businesses and self-employed people in the Foundational Economy (in Social Care, Early Years, Retail, Hospitality and Leisure). 

Please register your interest by Thursday 9th December 2021

The NHS in Greater Manchester is looking to develop its understanding of why some people within Greater Manchester inappropriately access urgent and emergency care and wants to support people to access the right services and understand how to make that choice.

Findings from the survey will be used to help health and care professionals in Greater Manchester better understand why people access the NHS services in the way that they do and what communications might help to support people to make the best choices to get the help they need.